Nissan Repair: 1996 nissan maxima, defective alternator, nissan maxima

Question
QUESTION: the car often stalls while driving , the battery cables have been replaced, new alternator has been install and this car still will not keep a charge and oh yeah i got a new battery also , please help

ANSWER: Hi Sherri -

The only thing I can think of is that there is a drain on your battery. With the engine off, ignition off, remove the negative side of the battery cable and tap the battery post it attaches to with the cable terminal. If there are sparks, then you have a drain somewhere. Of course a more accurate test would be to take it to be put on a meter. Other than that, could be a defective battery, or a defective alternator.

Hope this helps
Please let me know how it goes -
aloha
calvin

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: I removed the neg. battery cable and tap the post I saw no spark, so now what's next? but now iam noticing that if I dont play the radio and drive,  it want stall as fast . please help again, thanks

Answer
Hi Sherri -

OK, I think the stalling and the low battery are related, and from what you describe, seems like a defective alternator. How about night driving when you have your headlights on?

If you can get a hold of a voltmeter, try this test - Measure battery voltage with the engine off - should be no less than 12 volts. Start the engine and note voltage again - should be between 13 - 14 volts. Keep the engine run ning and turn the headlights on hogh beam - again it should remain at 14 v olts, or maybe a tad lower, however, if you rev the engine, it should retain the 14 volt charge.

Anything less than above, take the car back to where you replaced the alternator and have them check it.

Let me know
Thanks
calvin